Today in History: Missions of Old California
Today in History–January 12–the Library of Congress features the missions of Old California. On this date in 1777, Padre Thomas Peña founded Santa Clara de Asís, the eighth of California’s twenty-one missions. The first mission—San Diego de Alcala—was founded in 1769 by Padre Junípero Serra, who also oversaw the founding of the next eight, and the last—San Francisco de Solano—was founded in 1823. The missions dotted the California coast from San Diego to Sonoma along El Camino Real (the Royal Road), each about one day’s journey by horse from the next. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access related primary and secondary sources.
The California Missions Parallel Histories: Spain, the United States, and the American Frontier
Las Misiones de California Historias Paralelas: España, Estados Unidos y la Frontera Americana
The missions
- San Diego de Alcala 1769
- San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo 1770
- San Antonio de Padua 1771
- San Gabriel Arcángel 1771
- San Luis Obispo de Tolosa 1772
- San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) 1776
- San Juan Capistrano 1776
- Santa Clara de Asís 1777
- San Buenaventura 1782
- Santa Barbara 1786
- La Purisíma Concepcion 1787
- Santa Cruz 1791
- Nuestra Señora de la Soledad 1791
- San José 1797
- San Juan Bautista 1797
- San Miguel de Arcángel 1797
- San Fernando Rey de España 1797
- San Luis Rey de Francia 1798
- Santa Ynéz 1804
- San Rafael Arcángel 1817
- San Francisco de Solano 1823
California mission historical newspaper coverage
Padre Junípero Serra illustration
Life of Ven. Padre Junípero Serra abbreviated translation of the padre’s autobiography
Junípero Serra primary source set
Junípero Serra historical newspaper mentions
State Spotlight: California primary source collections & teaching resources